The thought that one's child may be abusing drugs is not something most parents wish to contemplate. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that around twenty eight million Americans have at least one alcoholic or drug-addicted parent, and that by inference, their children are at least 34% more likely to suffer from an addiction than children who don't. If both parents suffer, that figure increases to 400%, an astonishing but true statistic.
If drugs aren’t part of your life, don’t think for a moment that your child is immune from their influence. Drugs can enter a child’s life through many routes and at any age, from simple experimentation or peer pressure, to being unable to cope with feelings of stress or depression. It is not always until children are in their teens that they might experiment with mind or mood altering substances.
Drug abuse and addiction is extremely serious. It devastates the lives of those who fall under its spell, and for those around them. The longer a child remains addicted, the less s/he will be able to develop biologically and mentally. Adolescence in particular is a time of rapid change in both of these areas, when children moving towards adulthood, and seeking out their own identity and independence. The temptation to experiment can be very strong, but comes with the risk of devastating consequences.
